The coastal terraces beside Xinshe Village rise against a hillside and face the Pacific as a vast backdrop, making this one of the rare agricultural landscapes in Taiwan with the open ocean as its depth of field. During the rice-growing seasons, the water-filled terrace surfaces reflect the sky and create rich layers; the Kavalan Cultural Center is located within the village, adding indigenous cultural depth and historical context to this agricultural landscape.
Highlights of the Xinshe Terraced Coastline
Xinshe Village is one of the most important communities of the Kavalan (Kavalan) people. The Kavalan originally lived in the Yilan area; following Han Chinese settlement during the Qing dynasty, they gradually relocated to the eastern side of the Coastal Range in Hualien. The Xinshe terraces run alongside Provincial Highway 11 (the coastal highway), with farmland extending down the hillside toward the shore — the lowest fields nearly reach the Pacific — creating an exceptionally rare ocean-facing agricultural landscape that is a special case among Taiwan's coastal lowland terrain.
The terrace scenery changes markedly with the seasons. During transplanting (around March to April), the terraces are flooded and the water surface mirrors sky and sea; during the grain-ripening period (around July to August), golden waves of rice sway across the fields. The Kavalan Cultural Center displays the history of the community's migration, the banana-fiber weaving craft, and traditional ceremonies — a significant cultural complement to the terrace landscape.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- Xinshe Village is on Provincial Highway 11 in the Fengbin Township section, approximately 70 to 80 kilometers south of Hualien City. Driving time is about 1.5 hours; follow Highway 11.
- The flooded terrace period (March to April) and the ripening period (July to August) offer the most scenic conditions. The landscape is comparatively plain during the winter fallow season.
- Traffic on Highway 11 is heavy; roadside parking requires attention to safety. Some viewpoints have small parking areas.
Nearby Connections
- Heading south along Provincial Highway 11 for approximately 10 to 15 kilometers reaches Shihtiping, connecting the pothole geology and whale-and-dolphin-watching itinerary for a Fengbin East Coast half-day outing.
- The northern section of Highway 11 connects to Jiqi Beach and Baji Lookout; heading south extends to Changhong Bridge and Ruisui.
Sources: Fengbin Township Office, East Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Kavalan Cultural Center public information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.